84: Walking into a trap?

The morning mist had not yet fully dispersed, but over three hundred participants of the New Recruit Camp had already gathered at the main training ground. A complex atmosphere, a mix of solemnity and anticipation, permeated the area.

Yesterday's physical test was merely an appetizer; today was the crucial moment that would determine the fate of many.

Li Dong was still in his "Mu Feng" disguise, blending into the crowd, unassuming and unremarkable.

He yawned, but his mind was busy pondering the information about the camp's Formations and suspicious personnel that the System had fed him last night. The waters of the capital were truly unfathomable.

"Deputy Commander-in-Chief has arrived—!"

A long, drawn-out announcement broke the silence of the training ground.

Everyone's spirits lifted, and they turned to look. They saw a group of people escorting a middle-aged man dressed in a dark brocade robe, with a dignified demeanor, striding forward with the powerful gait of a Dragon and a tiger.

This man had a resolute face, his eyes flashing with sharp light when he opened and closed them, exuding an intimidating aura without needing to show anger. He was He Tianzheng, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Demon Suppression Headquarters in the capital, and the main orchestrator of this "special selection."

He Tianzheng stepped onto the high platform, his gaze like lightning, slowly sweeping over every young or feigning-youthful face below.

He did not speak immediately, but his invisible pressure already made many feel their breath catch.

Li Dong slightly lowered his eyelids, concealing his aura to the extreme.

He felt He Tianzheng's gaze linger on him for a fleeting moment, carrying an indescribable scrutiny, as if trying to see through him completely, inside and out.

"Everyone," He Tianzheng finally spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, "Welcome to the Demon Suppression Headquarters. I believe you are already aware that this 'special selection' is different from any previous recruitment."

He paused, his tone suddenly turning sharp: "Here, we do not ask about your origins or backgrounds! The Demon Suppression Headquarters needs true powerhouses, sharp blades capable of slaying Yao Beasts and demons! The upcoming selection will be an extremely cruel elimination process. Those lacking in strength, withdraw yourselves, otherwise, bear the consequences!"

His words were impactful, and the area below immediately fell silent, many faces showing solemn expressions.

Li Dong sneered inwardly: "Easier said than done. If origins truly didn't matter, how did someone like Luo Yi climb so high?"

At this moment, a Silver-Armored General beside He Tianzheng stepped forward and announced loudly: "Deputy Commander-in-Chief's words are absolutely correct! Some people, having merely passed the initial screening by luck, think they can ascend to the heavens in one go—what a delusion! The threshold of the Demon Suppression Division is not so easy to cross!"

As the General spoke, his eyes intentionally or unintentionally glanced in several directions, including the area where Li Dong was located.

The aura emanating from him was somewhat similar to certain Lin Family retainers Li Dong had encountered in Qingzhou Prefecture, carrying a faint, lingering scent of blood.

"Oh? This General has quite the big mouth," Li Dong mused. "Looks like he's Luo Yi's old subordinate in the capital? Is this meant to intimidate me?"

Almost at the same time the General's words fell, the System's alert tone sounded again in Li Dong's mind:

[Warning: Target individual He Tianzheng has special attention towards the host, and the degree has deepened. This attention is not pure hostility; please handle it cautiously.]

"Here we go again, and 'not pure hostility'..." Li Dong grumbled inwardly, "Could it be that he sees my unique bone structure and wants to take me as a disciple? Come on, you people never have anything good brewing in your stomachs."

He Tianzheng seemed quite satisfied with the General's words, nodding slightly, and continued: "Today's first selection content is a theoretical assessment. The scope of the assessment includes the Demon Suppression Division's millennium history, various Yao Beast and demon illustrated guides, basic Formation and Talisman knowledge, and practical combat case analysis. Only those with excellent scores will be qualified to enter the next round."

Theoretical assessment? Li Dong raised an eyebrow.

For him, this was practically a freebie.

With the System as his super cheat, let alone the Demon Suppression Division's data, he could even recite the entire encyclopedia of the Cultivation world.

The assessment was conducted in a separate quiet room, with each person having a desk, an exam paper, and several instructors with profound auras patrolling back and forth.

Li Dong received the exam paper and quickly scanned it with his Divine Sense. The questions indeed covered a wide range, from the habits of common Yao Beasts to the characteristics of obscure Demonic Path Cultivation Techniques, and there were even a few veiled questions about ancient Forbidden Experiments.

"A bit interesting," Li Dong thought. The System had already presented all the standard answers and even extended interpretations in his consciousness.

Of course, he wouldn't be so foolish as to get a perfect score directly. For a "Loose Cultivator Mu Feng" from a remote area, if he knew all the secrets of the Demon Suppression Division, that would be truly bizarre.

So, Li Dong began his "performance." For some basic questions, he wrote quickly; for slightly more difficult ones, he would frown and ponder for a moment, occasionally "accidentally" writing one or two words incorrectly, or deliberately making some descriptions appear to have the limitations of "folk rumors."

As for those questions involving core secrets or beyond the scope of ordinary Cultivator knowledge, he skillfully avoided the important points, or simply left parts blank, demonstrating the level expected of a "diligent and studious but limited in knowledge" Loose Cultivator.

"Hmm, in the third volume, seventh chapter of 'A Brief History of the Demon Suppression Division' about that incident, the popular version seems to say the commander died on the spot, but in reality, he was severely injured and went into seclusion... I'll write 'died on the spot' to better fit 'Mu Feng's' hearsay."

"This demon identification question, hey, it's actually a variant diagram of the 'Soul-Devouring Demon Flower'? Was the examiner intentional or unintentional?"

Li Dong's heart stirred, but he ultimately only answered its basic characteristics in a conventional manner, not mentioning a single word about deeper key information like "spiritual essence."

An hour later, the assessment ended.

In the afternoon, the results of the theoretical assessment were posted. To the surprise of many, including Li Dong himself who had deliberately hidden his abilities, his name, "Mu Feng," was actually among the top twenty. Though not top-tier, it was enough to attract attention.

"This... did I overact or not act enough?"

Li Dong looked at the list, stroking his chin, "I clearly tried very hard to 'make mistakes' though."

Soon, an instructor responsible for announcing the results, a middle-aged scholar who was also a member of He Tianzheng's faction, scanned the list and finally stopped at the name "Mu Feng."

"Mu Feng?" The scholar raised the roster, looking at the crowd, "Who is Mu Feng?"

Li Dong bravely stepped forward: "Student is present."

The scholar scrutinized him for a few moments, his gaze carrying a hint of inquiry: "You, a Loose Cultivator by origin, have quite impressive theoretical scores. There are some insights in your paper that don't seem like mere hearsay from a common country boy. Mu Feng, where did you acquire this knowledge? Have you ever had guidance from a famous teacher, or obtained some unknown Legacy?"

This question was quite direct. The surrounding gazes instantly focused on Li Dong.

Li Dong immediately put on a flattered yet somewhat uneasy expression, cupping his hands and saying: "Replying to esteemed sir, student... student is undeserving. This junior merely had better luck. In my early years in my hometown, by chance, I found a few incomplete ancient texts left by predecessors in a... uh, a dilapidated mountain temple. I don't know any famous teachers; I just relied on those old books to figure things out myself. I also enjoy asking around about strange tales and anecdotes, plus... plus my memory is decent, so I was lucky enough to answer a few questions correctly. I hope I haven't made a fool of myself to your esteemed self."

His words were half-truths, half-falsehoods, and his expression was perfectly controlled, explaining the source of his knowledge while conveying the simplicity of someone from a small place and a hint of "a fool's good fortune."

The scholar frowned slightly, seemingly trying to discern something from Li Dong's face, but Li Dong remained deferential, looking utterly honest and guileless.

"Incomplete ancient texts? Mountain temple?" The scholar pondered for a moment, then waved his hand noncommittally, "Very well, if it's an Opportunity, then it's your ability. The next round of assessment won't be as simple as theoretical knowledge; you must take care of yourself."

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, esteemed sir." Li Dong bowed in response, but thought to himself: "Old fox, trying to trick me into talking? No way!"

After the crowd dispersed, in an inconspicuous corner, several of He Tianzheng's confidants quietly gathered.

"What do you all think of that boy named Mu Feng?" The Silver-Armored General spoke first, with a hint of disdain in his tone, "He's just a Foundation Establishment Stage - Early Phase Loose Cultivator, yet his theoretical scores ranked in the top twenty? I don't believe he truly became self-taught with a few old books."

Another middle-aged man, who looked like a strategist, nodded: "Indeed, it's a bit suspicious. I looked at his answers; some parts seem superficial, but in reality, he cleverly avoided some key points. It doesn't seem like he has no background at all. Deputy Commander-in-Chief also seems quite interested in him."

"Hmph, who cares what his background is!" The Silver-Armored General snorted, "If some ignorant force wants to send spies to infiltrate, this is a good Opportunity to root them out! Pass down the order to spread some rumors in the camp, saying that this Mu Feng is very likely a disciple from some Hidden Family sent here for training, deliberately pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger."

The strategist's eyes lit up: "General's plan is excellent! This way, we can both test his reaction and see what other forces are up to. If he truly is a lone wolf, this rumor can also make him a target for everyone, creating extra trouble out of thin air."

"Let's do that." A cold smile appeared on the Silver-Armored General's lips, "I want to see how long he can hide!"

Soon, the rumor that "Mu Feng" was a disciple of a Hidden Family spread like wildfire throughout the New Recruit Camp.

"Hey, have you heard? That guy named Mu Feng, who looks unremarkable, is supposedly a Genius secretly cultivated by some reclusive great Family!"

"Really? No wonder his theoretical assessment was so impressive!"

"I'd say it's probably true; otherwise, how could an ordinary Loose Cultivator have such good luck and knowledge?"

"Hmph, playing games! If he really has a background, why hide his identity?"

Various discussions rose and fell, and many people's gazes towards Li Dong changed, filled with envy, jealousy, scrutiny, and undisguised hostility.

Li Dong, however, seemed to turn a deaf ear to it all, continuing his daily training, eating, and resting as usual, only being more cautious during his Cultivation.

He even actively sought out Chu He several times, chatting casually.

"Brother Chu, have you heard the rumors about me in the camp recently?" Li Dong asked, seemingly casually, while shoveling food into his mouth.

Chu He paused his eating, looked up at him, and said indifferently: "I heard. What's it to me?"

"Haha, Brother Chu is still so direct." Li Dong chuckled, "I just feel that there's probably more to this than meets the eye. Who do you think 'thinks so highly' of me to specifically spread my fame?"

Chu He put down his bowl and chopsticks: "What do you want to say?"

"Nothing much, just that the waters are getting muddier and muddier." Li Dong also put down his bowl and chopsticks, looking into Chu He's eyes, "Brother Chu, we met by chance, but I think you're a straightforward person. This New Recruit Camp is a mix of Dragons and snakes; it's always better to have more friends than enemies, don't you think?"

Chu He was silent for a moment, then picked up his bowl and chopsticks again: "Eat."

Li Dong said no more, but he had made his calculations. This Chu He, seemingly aloof, was not entirely unreceptive.

Late at night, Li Dong sat cross-legged, seemingly meditating and Cultivating, but in reality, his mind was already immersed in analyzing the situation.

"He Tianzheng... Luo Yi's backer in the capital... Soul-Devouring Demon Flower... Forbidden Experiment..." Clues swirled in his mind. From Qingzhou Prefecture to the capital, he had been pushed by an invisible hand, step by step, into this huge whirlpool.

"From the initial 'special attention,' to the subtle probing during the theoretical assessment, and now these widespread rumors..." A cold glint flashed in Li Dong's eyes, "You people are afraid that 'Mu Feng' isn't prominent enough, aren't you? He Tianzheng, what exactly do you want to get from me? Or rather, what are you wary of?"

Being so "remembered" by a Deputy Commander-in-Chief would likely make anyone else restless, but Li Dong instead felt a strange excitement.

"Very well, since you've set up the stage, if I, the protagonist, don't put on a good show, wouldn't I be letting down your 'kind intentions'?"

He could feel that the net laid by He Tianzheng and the forces behind him had begun to slowly tighten.

But they probably wouldn't realize that the prey in their eyes was a fierce tiger whose claws and fangs had long been sharpened.

"Inviting me into the trap? I want to see who falls into whose trap!"

A cold light flashed in Li Dong's eyes in the darkness, "This grand play in the capital is getting more and more interesting."

It's getting more and more interesting.